Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
Midland Elks Lodge # 1610
Online Bulletin Volume 69, No. 9 – November 2008
For the most up-to-date event information, please check the Midland Elks online calendar.
In This Issue
- Message from the Exalted Ruler
- Christmas Baskets Update
- Big Bucks Calendar Sales
- New Member Welcome Night
- Lodge Passes Safety Inspection with Flying Colors
- Help Needed for Christmas Basket Delivery
- Menu and Price Changes At Club
- DDGER to Visit on November 18
- New Members Accepted for Membership
- Reader Rewards
- Christmas Decorating Party
- Chicago Lodge Management System (CLMS) Update
- Boy Scout Popcorn Sales
- Upcoming Events/Activities
Message from the Exalted Ruler
On Sunday, December 7, at noon, the Lodge will be having its annual Elks Memorial Day Service. This is a day "for Elks to gather and freshen with the dew of recollection the tender blossoms of hope and love entwined about the memory of their departed."
The tradition of an Elks Memorial Day Service has been in existence for over 120 years. Sometimes, as it often happens, we no longer 
have the same passion for observing the old traditions as we once did. Last year's Memorial Service was poorly attended. Perhaps many of us did not know those Elks who had died last year. Perhaps those of us who are younger did not feel an urgency to come together to remember those who had dedicated so much of their time and energy to creating a thriving and successful Lodge. Perhaps those of us who are older felt too tired to spend an hour remembering and didn't want to be reminded that our time left on this earth is short. Whatever the reason, many of us did not come and show support for those who had lost a loved one.
This year should be different. This year we should all attend the Elks Memorial Day Service. Our participation will give honor to the memory of all the Elks who are no longer with us. Our presence will give comfort and support to those who have lost a loved one. And just as important, we will strengthen the bonds of friendship so that when we "have entered into the realm of eternity," the friends we have left behind will gather each December to celebrate and remember.
The service will start promptly at noon. The Men of Music will be providing musical accompaniment. After the service, we will gather for fellowship. If you wish to bring a snack to share, please let me know, I can be reached at 989.284.5266, or DJohnCole@aol.com.
Fraternally,
John Cole
Exalted Ruler
BPO Elks Midland Lodge
Since the October bulletin we have commitments and cash totaling just over $1,000. This represents only 14% of the money needed to reach our goal of 100 baskets.
Our baskets cost approximately $65.00. Actual cash value is much higher due to donations from Sanford Food Pride vendors and suppliers of various basket items.
You can mail or deliver your contribution to the Midland Elks at 3622 N. Saginaw, Midland, MI 48640. Checks should be made out to the "Elks Christmas Baskets" and placed in an envelope to the attention of Bob Woods or Kyle Taylor. Your commitment is crucial, as we must contact the Salvation Army by mid November to request additional names if it appears we will exceed our original expectations. Thanks again for your donation to the Elks Christmas Basket program.
We have sold about half of the 70 calendars assigned to our Lodge. This is your chance to support a "Win-Win" cause for as little as $20 per calendar. The State Association gets part of the purchase price of each calendar and we get to keep part of the purchase price of each calendar. Proceeds go to support our Youth, Special Needs Children, Seniors, Veterans, and Troops. If the Lodge doesn't sell all of the calendars, it must still pay for all 70 of them. PLEASE HELP OUT.
Each ELKS BIG BUCKS CALENDAR comes with a 4 digit number that is issued to you and you alone. The Michigan State Lottery draws a four-digit number daily, (EVENING DRAWING). If your number matches the one drawn that day (STRAIGHT ONLY), YOU ARE A WINNER! Each number drawn Monday through Friday will be a $50 winner. Each number drawn Saturday will be a $300 winner.
These make excellent Christmas gifts, especially if you like giving lottery tickets as Christmas gifts. No where else can you get a daily lottery ticket for an entire year for only $20 and still support everything the Elks stand for: Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love, and Fidelity.
You can pick up your Big Bucks Calendar at the Club or you can contact John Cole (989.284.5266 or DJohnCole@aol.com) for more information. He will even make arrangements to have one delivered to your door.
We are starting something new to welcome our new members. Every month, we will have a special diner cooked by our own Lodge Secretary, Chef Greg Saxton. Our first one will be on Tuesday, November 25. Recently initiated members and spouses are invited to attend as well as any Lodge member and spouse who wants to give a warm welcome to our newest members. The evening will start around 6:00 pm with a cocktail and conversation. Then the meal will be served. Each month, one of the committee chairs will be invited to tell the new members a little bit about the work of their committee.
The cost of the meal will be $7.00. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. To make reservations or to get more information, please contact the ER, John Cole at 989.284.5266, or DJohnCole@aol.com.
Lodge Passes Safety Inspection with Flying Colors
On Tuesday, October 21, Jack McDaniel, DVP, made his annual visit to our Lodge. Part of that visit included a safety inspection. This is the report we got back from the Accident Claim Prevention Chair.
Date: October 27, 2008
To: Lodge E.R. Trustees Chairman, Secretary, Midland @1610
Re: Self Inspection Dated: October 21, 2008
A.C.P. Memorandum
I have received a copy of the above dated Self Inspection & Safety Check List report of your Lodge, taken by your D.V.C. John Dufelmeier. I have not noted any sections of the report having indicated a possible inadequacy or a potential problem.
I have made a comparison to the last two years, and I must say your Lodge and Trustees have done an outstanding job in correcting the previous items reported. Keep up the good work, and please extend my congratulations to your Trustees, Officers, and Members for a job well done.
Fraternally,
Frank C. Zsalako
PDD ACP
Help Needed for Christmas Basket Delivery
We are in need for drivers and co-pilots to deliver Christmas baskets on Saturday, December 20th. Plan to meet at 7:00 a.m. at the Sanford Food Pride. With over 80 baskets to deliver, we need approximately 25-30 vehicles to make these deliveries possible.
There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board in the Club. If you cannot put a team together, we can help you find a co-pilot. 
You may also call the Elks after 4:00 p.m. at 989-835-2271 and have your name and telephone number added to the list. We will follow up with you at a later date to make sure you can still help with the deliveries or you may call Bob Woods at 989-835-1064 or Kyle Taylor at 989-835-2620 if you have any questions.
Thanks for your help.
Menu & Price Changes at the Club
On November 15, all bar prices will be increasing. The Club has not raised the prices on drinks for over three years, but our suppliers have routinely raised the prices they charge us. No one likes to see prices go up, but we must offset the increased cost we are charged for drinks.
There are also changes in the menu. We will no longer offer a salad bar. The menu for Fridays is:
- ALL YOU CAN EAT Pollack $7.95
- Perch (full order) $12.95
- Perch (1/2 order) $9.50
- Baked White Fish $9.95
Third Friday of the month:
- Prime Rib (RSVP by Thursday) $14.95
All dinners come with:
- Tossed salad or cole slaw
- Baked potato or fries
- Roll with butter
The menu for the rest of the week is:
Baskets w/Chips & Pickle
- Whimpy Burger $4.50
- 4 Chix Strips $3.50
- Kogel Hot Dog $2.50
Chuck Oatten, DDGER will be making his annual visit on November 18. As part of his visit, he will observe our performance of the initiation ritual.
New Members Accepted for Membership
At the November 4 Lodge meeting, three new members were approved for initiation. They are:
- Jorge F. Torres
- April Sokolski
- Zachary Leonard
Additionally, we have received an application for membership from Brian Micheal-Joseph Campbell.
October Winner
Because the member whose number was hidden in one of the articles did not respond, a lucky winner was chosen from among those observant members who spotted the member's hidden number. Last month's winner is Hugh Rottiers. Hugh has been an Elk since 1987. Hugh receives one free meal with the purchase of one meal at the regular price.
Reader Reward Program Rules
We have placed some lucky member's membership number in one of the articles in the Bulletin. To win:
- Read the November e-Bulletin from top to bottom, or at least until you find the lucky membership number.
- Email your answer to elks1610_news@yahoo.com. Be sure to include the number you found and the title of the article you found it in. Email your answer by November 25.
- If the person belonging to the membership number doesn't email their answer in on time, then a winner will be chosen at random from all of those Elks who sent in an email with the correct number and its location.
- If you win, you will receive one free dinner with the purchase of a dinner at the regular price. What a deal!
Please join us on Sunday, November 30, at 2:00 pm for a Christmas Decorating Party. We will be putting up the Christmas tree and adding Christmas decorations to places around the Club. There will be snacks and the bar will be open. For more information, contact John Cole, 989.284.5266 or DJohnCole@aol.com.
Chicago Lodge Management System (CLMS) Update
As of October 31, all Lodges are required to be using CLMS (pronounced 'clems,' as in Clementine). CLMS replaces the Yuma database that we had been using.
Our Lodge met the deadline and submitted its November membership report on time.
Earlier this year, we had asked for financial assistance in replacing our outdated computer equipment so that we could upgrade to CLMS. Unfortunately no one came forward in time to help, so we are still using our old computer and boy is it slow. 01275 Every time we start CLMS, the program checks for updates to the program. Our fear is that one of the updates may be the straw that breaks the camels back and will no longer be able to use CLMS until the computer is replaced.
If you can help out, please contact John Cole at 989.284.5266 or DJohnCole@aol.com.
On three Fridays in November (14, 21, and 28), Boy Scouts from the troop our Lodge sponsor will be selling popcorn in the Club. They will be here from 5 to 7 on those dates. Please support our scouts by buying some popcorn from them. I know you will get a bang out of it if you do.
For all the latest events, check the Midland Elks online calendar.
Thursdays in November: Afternoon Euchre - must call 989.631.3633.
Saturday, November 1: Euchre Party – Doors open at 5:00 pm. Sloppy Joes and Hot Dogs will be served at 6:00 pm. Cost is $7.50. Be sure to call 989.631.3633 for more information and to confirm your reservations for euchre.
Tuesday, November 4: Lodge Meeting
Tuesday, November 18: Lodge Meeting & Visitation by Chuck Oatten, DDGER.
Tuesday, November 25: New Member Welcome Night
Saturday, December 6: Euchre Party – Doors open at 5:00 pm. Sloppy Joes and Hot Dogs will be served at 6:00 pm. Cost is $7.50. Be sure to call 989.631.3633 for more information and to confirm your reservations for euchre.
Sunday, December 7: Elks Memorial Day. The first Sunday in December of each year is a day commemorated to the memories of departed members. Service starts at noon.
Saturday, December 20: Christmas Basket delivery day.
Midland Elks Lodge 1610
3622 N. Saginaw Road • Midland, Michigan 48640
989-835-2271
Website:
www.elks1610.org • E-mail: EventInfo@elks1610.org
Please support
our bulletin
sponsors:
Fun & Fitness Dance
Blackhurst Home
Builders, LLC
Midland Eye Care
Catering by Rachel